Significant places in Madinah Munawwarah

The entire city of Madinah Munawwarah is blessed. Just as the soil of Madinah Munawwarah is sacred, likewise the skies above Madinah Munawwarah are also blessed. The city which was chosen to be the residence of the Greatest of all humanity, Leader of the Prophets (Alayhimus salaam) can never be just like any other ordinary tract of land. Allamah Samhoodi (Rahimahullah) enumerates ninety nine virtues of Madinah Munawwarah in his magnum opus, Wafaa ul Wafaa, and thereafter adds, “…these were the virtues that I could remember. However, the reality is that barkaat (special blessings of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) are widespread all over the entire city”.

However, there are certain places within Madinah Munawwarah that have additional significance. The purpose for visiting these places should be to rekindle the imaani spirit within ourselves and our families. It must not be a ‘mere tour’ of these mubaarak places. Rather, we should return with a great wealth of imaan, admiration, respect and love for and Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) and the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum). This can be achieved by educating ourselves and our families with the greatness of these mubaarak places. Hence, we will begin to realise the significance of these places and not regard them like any other holiday destination, where the outlook is mere entertainment.

Furthermore, these places have barakah, and by visiting them one attains these blessings. On the occasion of Me’raaj, Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) was instructed to perform salaah on Mount Sinai, where Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) spoke to Musa (alayhis salaam). Thereafter He was taken to Bait Laham (Bethlehem) to perform salaah where Eesaa (alayhis salaam) was born, and thereafter to Bait ul Muqaddas (Sunan Nasai, # 451). The Muhadditheen explain that Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) was taken to these places due to their additional significance. There are numerous ahaadeeth about the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) visiting those places where Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) had performed his salaah. `Abdullah ibn `Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhuma) would perform salaah in those places which Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) visited en-route to Makkah Mukarramah (Bukhari, # 483). On the occasion of the conquest of Makkah when Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) entered the ka`bah , Ibn Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhuma) rushed to Bilal (Radhiyallahu Anhu) to enquire from him exactly where Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) performed his salaah (Bukhari, #397). Hazrat Salama ibn Akwa` (Radhiyallahu Anhu) would take pains in performing his salaah at the spot from where Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) would lead the salaah (Bukhari, #502). These are a few examples of the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) obtaining barakah from these sacred places.

The raudah (garden) of Jannah

Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) has mentioned, “That area which is between my house and my mimbar (pulpit) is a garden of Jannah”. (Bukhari, #1195). The majority of scholars are of the view that this Hadith is in its literal sense. In reality that land is from Jannah and will be returned to Jannah. Subhanallah! What privilege can there be greater than this?!

Once, a group of students were in the house of Hazrat `Aaisha (Radhiyallahu Anha) when she said to them, “I heard Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) saying that, “In my musjid there is a certain place, had people known the virtue of it, they would cast lots in order to get a chance to perform salaah there”. (Tabarani, Awsat, # 862). Later on, Hazrat `Aaisha (Radhiyallahu Anha) pointed out this spot to her nephew, `Urwah bin Zubayr(Rahimahullah). Today there is a pillar built at this spot known as Ustuwaanah `Aaisha (The pillar of Hazrat `Aaisha). The Muhaajireen (Radhiyallahu Anhum) would gather around this pillar.

Apart from this pillar, there are other pillars as well, marking significant places within the raudah. Some of these pillars are:

Ustuwaanat ut Tawbah – Pillar of Repentance. This is where Hazrat Abu Lubaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhu) tied himself in atonement for his crime. Duaas are accepted at this spot. This was also the place where Hazrat Abdullah ibn Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhuma) and Imam Maalik (Rahimahullah) would sit. It is recorded in Wafaa ul Wafaa that Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) would sit by this pillar after fajr salaah.

Ustuwaanat us Sareer – Pillar of the Bed. This is where Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) would sleep during I’tikaaf.

Ustuwaanat ul Wufood- Pillar of Delegations. This is where Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) would receive delegations and teach them about Islam.

Ustuwaanat ul Haras – Pillar of the Guard. This is where some Sahaabah like Hazrat `Ali (Radhiyallahu Anhu) would sit, guarding Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) whilst He was at home. (Wafaa ul Wafaa)

Jannatul Baqee`

The graveyard of Madinah Munawwarah. It is also known as Baqee` ul Gharqad. Imaam Maalik (Rahmatullahi alayh) is quoted to have said that TEN THOUSAND Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) are buried here (Wafaa ul Wafaa).

The first person to stand up from his grave will be Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam), followed by Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallahu Anhu) and Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) . Thereafter they will proceed to the inmates of Baqee` and subsequently they will be resurrected. (Bazzaar, #6143)

Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) was commanded by Allah Ta`ala to seek forgiveness on behalf of the inmates of Baqee`. Hence, one night Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) went to the graveyard and spent a long time with his hand raised in dua for the people of Baqee`. (Saheeh Muslim and Nasai, #2039)

Musjid Qubaa

Little are we aware that the very first musjid to be built after the hijrah was Musjid Qubaa. Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) himself participated in its construction. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) has described it as ‘a musjid which has been founded on taqwaa ’. Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) would visit the musjid of Qubaa every Saturday. Hazrat Usayd bin Zuhayr (Radhiyallahu Anhu) Reports that Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) said, “(The reward of ) a salaah in musjid Qubaa equals (the reward of) an umrah”. (Tirmizi, #324)

Hazrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) once visited Musjid Qubaa and performed two rakaah of salaah. Thereafter he called for a broom and began sweeping the musjid with his own hands. On this occasion he mentioned to those around him,

لو كان مسجدنا هذا بطرف من الأطراف ، لضربنا إليه أكباد الإبل

“Had this musjid (of Quba) been in some remote corner of the world, I would definitely undertake a journey to visit it”. (Wafaa ul Wafaa)

While visiting Qubaa, reflect on the great sacrifice of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu anhum). How they sacrificed their wealth, friends, city and practically everything for the sake of Deen. At the least, we should sacrifice our desires for the sake of Allah Ta`ala and Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

Mount Uhud and Martyrs

“Four mountains are from Jannah”, Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) is reported to have said. (Tabaraani, Awsat, #7673). Amongst the four, Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) mentioned Mount Uhud and Mount Toor. The love of this mountain has been testified to in the ahaadeeth. Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) said,

هذا جبل يحبّنا ونحبّه

“ This (Uhud) is a mountain that loves us and we love it” (Bukhari,#2889)

What a privilege for Mount Uhud! A testification by none other than Allah’s Rasool (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam). At least we can visit Mount Uhud with this frame of mind: “O Allah! Out of love for this mountain we are visiting it, and this is the beloved of Your Rasul (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam). O Allah! If a rock can be blessed with His love, You also bless us with His love”

A temporary defeat was suffered in the battle of Uhud when some Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu anhum), due to a misunderstanding, left the position that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had commanded them to remain on. Our reflection when visiting Uhud should be on the importance of the sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

These are but a few significant places in Madinah Munawwarah. The reality has already been declared by Allamah Samhoodi (Rahimahullah). The significance can be understood from this hadith of Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam):

ما على الأرض بقعة أحبّ إليّ من أن يكون قبري بها منها

“ There is no piece of land in this entire world more beloved to me that I be buried in, than Madinah Munawwarah” (Muwatta Maalik, Pg. 478)

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The entire city of Madinah Munawwarah is blessed. Just as the soil of Madinah Munawwarah is sacred, likewise the skies above Madinah Munawwarah are also blessed. The city which was chosen to be the residence of the Greatest of all humanity, Leader of the Prophets (Alayhimus salaam) can never be just like any other ordinary tract of land. Allamah Samhoodi (Rahimahullah) enumerates ninety nine virtues of Madinah Munawwarah in his magnum opus, Wafaa ul Wafaa, and thereafter adds, “…these were the virtues that I could remember. However, the reality is that barkaat (special blessings of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) are widespread all over the entire city”.

However, there are certain places within Madinah Munawwarah that have additional significance. The purpose for visiting these places should be to rekindle the imaani spirit within ourselves and our families. It must not be a ‘mere tour’ of these mubaarak places. Rather, we should return with a great wealth of imaan, admiration, respect and love for and Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) and the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum). This can be achieved by educating ourselves and our families with the greatness of these mubaarak places. Hence, we will begin to realise the significance of these places and not regard them like any other holiday destination, where the outlook is mere entertainment.

Furthermore, these places have barakah, and by visiting them one attains these blessings. On the occasion of Me’raaj, Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) was instructed to perform salaah on Mount Sinai, where Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) spoke to Musa (alayhis salaam). Thereafter He was taken to Bait Laham (Bethlehem) to perform salaah where Eesaa (alayhis salaam) was born, and thereafter to Bait ul Muqaddas (Sunan Nasai, # 451). The Muhadditheen explain that Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) was taken to these places due to their additional significance. There are numerous ahaadeeth about the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) visiting those places where Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) had performed his salaah. `Abdullah ibn `Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhuma) would perform salaah in those places which Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) visited en-route to Makkah Mukarramah (Bukhari, # 483). On the occasion of the conquest of Makkah when Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) entered the ka`bah , Ibn Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhuma) rushed to Bilal (Radhiyallahu Anhu) to enquire from him exactly where Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) performed his salaah (Bukhari, #397). Hazrat Salama ibn Akwa` (Radhiyallahu Anhu) would take pains in performing his salaah at the spot from where Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) would lead the salaah (Bukhari, #502). These are a few examples of the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) obtaining barakah from these sacred places.

The raudah (garden) of Jannah

Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) has mentioned, “That area which is between my house and my mimbar (pulpit) is a garden of Jannah”. (Bukhari, #1195). The majority of scholars are of the view that this Hadith is in its literal sense. In reality that land is from Jannah and will be returned to Jannah. Subhanallah! What privilege can there be greater than this?!

Once, a group of students were in the house of Hazrat `Aaisha (Radhiyallahu Anha) when she said to them, “I heard Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) saying that, “In my musjid there is a certain place, had people known the virtue of it, they would cast lots in order to get a chance to perform salaah there”. (Tabarani, Awsat, # 862). Later on, Hazrat `Aaisha (Radhiyallahu Anha) pointed out this spot to her nephew, `Urwah bin Zubayr(Rahimahullah). Today there is a pillar built at this spot known as Ustuwaanah `Aaisha (The pillar of Hazrat `Aaisha). The Muhaajireen (Radhiyallahu Anhum) would gather around this pillar.

Apart from this pillar, there are other pillars as well, marking significant places within the raudah. Some of these pillars are:

Ustuwaanat ut Tawbah – Pillar of Repentance. This is where Hazrat Abu Lubaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhu) tied himself in atonement for his crime. Duaas are accepted at this spot. This was also the place where Hazrat Abdullah ibn Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhuma) and Imam Maalik (Rahimahullah) would sit. It is recorded in Wafaa ul Wafaa that Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) would sit by this pillar after fajr salaah.

Ustuwaanat us Sareer – Pillar of the Bed. This is where Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) would sleep during I’tikaaf.

Ustuwaanat ul Wufood- Pillar of Delegations. This is where Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) would receive delegations and teach them about Islam.

Ustuwaanat ul Haras – Pillar of the Guard. This is where some Sahaabah like Hazrat `Ali (Radhiyallahu Anhu) would sit, guarding Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) whilst He was at home. (Wafaa ul Wafaa)

Jannatul Baqee`

The graveyard of Madinah Munawwarah. It is also known as Baqee` ul Gharqad. Imaam Maalik (Rahmatullahi alayh) is quoted to have said that TEN THOUSAND Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) are buried here (Wafaa ul Wafaa).

The first person to stand up from his grave will be Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam), followed by Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallahu Anhu) and Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) . Thereafter they will proceed to the inmates of Baqee` and subsequently they will be resurrected. (Bazzaar, #6143)

Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) was commanded by Allah Ta`ala to seek forgiveness on behalf of the inmates of Baqee`. Hence, one night Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) went to the graveyard and spent a long time with his hand raised in dua for the people of Baqee`. (Saheeh Muslim and Nasai, #2039)

Musjid Qubaa

Little are we aware that the very first musjid to be built after the hijrah was Musjid Qubaa. Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) himself participated in its construction. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) has described it as ‘a musjid which has been founded on taqwaa ’. Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) would visit the musjid of Qubaa every Saturday. Hazrat Usayd bin Zuhayr (Radhiyallahu Anhu) Reports that Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) said, “(The reward of ) a salaah in musjid Qubaa equals (the reward of) an umrah”. (Tirmizi, #324)

Hazrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) once visited Musjid Qubaa and performed two rakaah of salaah. Thereafter he called for a broom and began sweeping the musjid with his own hands. On this occasion he mentioned to those around him,

لو كان مسجدنا هذا بطرف من الأطراف ، لضربنا إليه أكباد الإبل

“Had this musjid (of Quba) been in some remote corner of the world, I would definitely undertake a journey to visit it”. (Wafaa ul Wafaa)

While visiting Qubaa, reflect on the great sacrifice of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu anhum). How they sacrificed their wealth, friends, city and practically everything for the sake of Deen. At the least, we should sacrifice our desires for the sake of Allah Ta`ala and Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

Mount Uhud and Martyrs

“Four mountains are from Jannah”, Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) is reported to have said. (Tabaraani, Awsat, #7673). Amongst the four, Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) mentioned Mount Uhud and Mount Toor. The love of this mountain has been testified to in the ahaadeeth. Nabi (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam) said,

هذا جبل يحبّنا ونحبّه

“ This (Uhud) is a mountain that loves us and we love it” (Bukhari,#2889)

What a privilege for Mount Uhud! A testification by none other than Allah’s Rasool (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam). At least we can visit Mount Uhud with this frame of mind: “O Allah! Out of love for this mountain we are visiting it, and this is the beloved of Your Rasul (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam). O Allah! If a rock can be blessed with His love, You also bless us with His love”

A temporary defeat was suffered in the battle of Uhud when some Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu anhum), due to a misunderstanding, left the position that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had commanded them to remain on. Our reflection when visiting Uhud should be on the importance of the sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

These are but a few significant places in Madinah Munawwarah. The reality has already been declared by Allamah Samhoodi (Rahimahullah). The significance can be understood from this hadith of Rasulullah (Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam):

ما على الأرض بقعة أحبّ إليّ من أن يكون قبري بها منها

“ There is no piece of land in this entire world more beloved to me that I be buried in, than Madinah Munawwarah” (Muwatta Maalik, Pg. 478)